Sealing ring structure of a sinkhole

ABSTRACT

A sealing ring structure of a sinkhole, which is inlaid in the sinkhole to achieve bugproof and odorproof effects. The sealing ring structure includes a base seat, a diaphragm and a gum ring. The base is a ring body having a screen section formed with multiple perforations. The center and other portions of the screen section are respectively formed with holders. An upper end and a lower end of the base seat are respectively formed with a flange and a stepped skirt. The diaphragm is a gum-made thin disc having chucking bosses inserted in the holders to connect the diaphragm under the base seat with outer circumference of the diaphragm tightly attaching to the stepped skirt of the base seat. The gum ring is fitted around the base seat under the flange thereof. A middle portion of the gum ring is formed with a bight section. When the base seat is placed in the sinkhole, the gum ring is snugly watertight fitted in the sinkhole. The sealing ring can be directly placed in the sinkhole on a stepped shoulder section thereof instead of the conventional petal-type plastic ring to achieve a bugproof and odorproof effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of currently pending application U.S. Ser. No. 11/130,167, entitled “BUGPROOF AND ODORPROOF SEALING RING STRUCTURE OF A SINKHOLE SCEEN” and filed on May 17, 2005

The present invention is related to an improved sealing ring structure of a sinkhole, and more particularly to a sealing ring structure which is inlaid in a conventional sinkhole to achieve bugproof and odorproof effects.

Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 284567 discloses a petal-type bathroom sinkhole structure. The resilient plastic petal-type plastic ring of the sinkhole structure substantially can achieve a bugproof and odorproof effect. Such sinkhole structure includes a plastic ring with a diameter equal to the diameter of the sinkhole cover. The plastic ring has multiple acute triangular resilient petals radially extending from inner circumference of the plastic ring. The plastic ring is placed on a shoulder section of the sinkhole to isolate the sink from the bugs and stink in the draining pipe. However, it is known that pans, cookers, bowls and dishes are frequently washed in the sink with cold or hot water. Therefore, after a period of use, the resilient plastic petals of the plastic ring tend to elastically fail and deform and become suspend from the inner circumference of the plastic ring. Under such circumstance, the petals can no more shade the sinkhole and the plastic ring will lose its bugproof and odorproof function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a sealing ring structure of a sinkhole. The sealing ring structure is directly inlaid in the sinkhole on a stepped shoulder section thereof instead of the conventional petal-type plastic ring. The sealing ring structure has a disc-shaped diaphragm which is able to truly achieve a bugproof and odorproof effect.

According to the above object, the sealing ring structure of the sinkhole of the present invention includes:

a base seat which is a substantially ring-shaped body having a screen section, the screen section being formed with multiple perforations, a central portion and a circumferential portion of the screen section being respectively formed with holders, an upper end of the base seat being formed with a flange, a lower end of the base seat being formed with a skirt;

a diaphragm which is substantially a gum-made thin disc, the diaphragm having chucking bosses respectively corresponding to the holders of the base seat, the chucking bosses being inserted in the holders to connect the diaphragm with the base seat with outer circumference of the diaphragm tightly attaching to the skirt of the base seat; and

a gum ring fitted around the base seat, a middle portion of the gum ring being formed with a bight section. When the base seat is placed in the sinkhole, the gum ring is snugly watertight fitted in the sinkhole. The sealing ring can be directly placed in the sinkhole on a stepped shoulder section thereof instead of the conventional petal-type plastic ring to achieve a bugproof and odorproof effect. Therefore, the stink and insects are prevented from entering the kitchen or the room.

The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional assembled view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view according to FIG. 3, showing that the water is drained out through the gap between the diaphragm and the base seat of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing that the present invention is mounted on a conventional sinkhole;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective assembled view of the other preferred embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIG. 1. The scaling ring structure of the sinkhole of the present invention includes a base seat 10, a diaphragm 20 and a gum ring 30. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the base seat 10 is a substantially ring-shaped body integrally made of metal or plastic material. The central portion of the base seat 10 is formed with a screen section 11 having multiple perforations 12. The center and other portions of the screen section 11 are respectively formed with holders 13, 14 with a certain size. The upper end of the base seat 1 is formed with a flange 15. The lower end of the base seat 1 is formed with a skirt 16. The skirt 16 is stepped and has a step 161. A lift ring 17 is disposed on the base seat 10 for lifting the sealing ring.

The diaphragm 20 is substantially a thin disc integrally made of elastic and weatherproof rubber or semisoft plastic material. The diaphragm 20 has chucking bosses 21, 22 respectively corresponding to the holders 13, 14 of the base seat 10. The chucking bosses 21, 22 are arranged at the center of the diaphragm 20 and on other portions of the diaphragm 20 near the circumference of the screen section 11. Therefore, a sufficient pulling force can be applied to the center and the circumference of the diaphragm 20.

The gum ring 30 is substantially a ring body integrally made of elastic and weatherproof rubber or semisoft plastic material. The inner circumference of the gum ring 30 is fixedly fitted around the outer circumference of the base seat 10. An upper face 32 of the gum ring 30 is attached to a lower rigid side of the flange 15 of the base seat. A middle portion of the gum ring 30 is formed with a bight section adapted to the upper end of the sinkhole. Accordingly, when the base seat 10 is placed on the sinkhole, the gum ring 30 is snugly watertight fitted in the sinkhole.

When assembled, the chucking boss 21 of the center of the diaphragm 20 is upward inserted into the central holder 13 of the base seat 10 from lower side thereof. Then the circumferential chucking bosses 22 of the diaphragm 20 are upward plugged into the circumferential holders 14 of the base seat 10 from lower side thereof. Then the gum ring 30 is directly fitted around the base seat 10. Accordingly, the sealing ring of the present invention can be quickly, easily and manually assembled.

Moreover, when installed, as shown in FIG. 5, the assembled sealing ring is directly inlaid in a sinkhole 4 on a stepped shoulder section 41 thereof instead of the conventional petal-type rubber tray. After installed, an original sinkhole cover 42 can be placed on the base seat 10 for reserving water. The lower end of sinkhole 4 is connected to a draining pipe or a crasher 43.

In order to more tightly attach the diaphragm 20 to the skirt 16 of the base seat 10, an annular rib 23 is formed along the outer circumference of the diaphragm 20. The outer circumference of the diaphragm 20 is slightly upward curved to enhance the resilient restoring force of the outer circumference of the diaphragm 20. Furthermore, the holders 13, 14 of the base seat 10 can be formed with trumpet-shaped holes 131, 141 tapered from lower side to upper side. Accordingly, the chucking sections 211, 221 of upper ends of the chucking bosses 21, 22 can be easily upward passed through the holders 13, 14 and fixedly inserted in the trumpet-shaped holes 131, 141.

Referring to FIG. 3, in a not drained state, the outer circumference of the diaphragm 20 fully tightly attaches to the stepped skirt 16 of lower side of the base seat 10 to achieve an airtight effect. Therefore, the stink and insects are prevented from entering the kitchen or the room. When a sufficient amount of water falls into the base seat 10, the weight of the water will depress those parts of the outer circumference of the diaphragm 20 distal from the chucking bosses 21, 22 inserted in the holders 13, 14. Therefore, the outer circumference of the diaphragm 20 is partially forced downward and separated from the stepped skirt 16 of the base seat 10 as shown in FIG. 4. At this time, a gap T is defined between the outer circumference of the diaphragm 20 and the stepped skirt 16 and the water can pass through the perforations 12 of the screen section 11 of the base seat 10 and the gap T to be immediately drained outdoors from the draining pipe. When the water on upper side of the diaphragm 20 is fully drained out and no water further flows into the base seat 10, the circumference of the diaphragm 20 resiliently restores to its home position to airtight attach to the stepped skirt 16 due to its own elasticity and the contraction force of the water.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in a second embodiment of the present invention, a pinch button 24 formed with slipproof stripes is disposed on upper end of the central chucking boss 21 of the diaphragm 20 for a user to easily pull up the sealing ring away from the sinkhole 4.

According to the above, when drained, the water only needs to overcome the minor resilient force of the diaphragm to pass through the gap. In addition, by means of the diaphragm's own elasticity and the contraction force of the water, the diaphragm can easily restore to the airtight state.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A sealing ring structure of a sinkhole, comprising: a base seat which is a substantially ring-shaped body having a screen section, the screen section being formed with multiple perforations, a central portion and a circumferential portion of the screen section being respectively formed with holders, an upper end of the base seat being formed with a flange, a lower end of the base seat being formed with a skirt; a diaphragm which is substantially a gum-made thin disc, the diaphragm having chucking bosses respectively corresponding to the holders of the base seat, the chucking bosses being inserted in the holders to connect the diaphragm with the base seat with outer circumference of the diaphragm tightly attaching to the skirt of the base seat; and a gum ring fitted around the base seat, when base seat is placed in the sinkhole, the gum ring being snugly watertight fitted in the sinkhole, whereby the sealing ring can be directly placed in the sinkhole on a shoulder section thereof to achieve a bugproof and odorproof effect.
 2. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holders of the base seat are formed with trumpet-shaped holes tapered from lower side to upper side.
 3. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 1, wherein an annular rib is formed along outer circumference of the diaphragm.
 4. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 2, wherein an annular rib is formed along outer circumference of the diaphragm.
 5. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lift ring is disposed on inner circumference of the base seat.
 6. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 2, wherein a lift ring is disposed on inner circumference of the base seat.
 7. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 3, wherein a lift ring is disposed on inner circumference of the base seat.
 8. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the skirt of the base seat is stepped and has a step section, whereby the outer circumference of the diaphragm can snugly attach to the step section of the skirt.
 9. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the skirt of the base seat is stepped and has a step section, whereby the outer circumference of the diaphragm can snugly attach to the step section of the skirt.
 10. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 3, wherein the skirt of the base seat is stepped and has a step section, whereby the outer circumference of the diaphragm can snugly attach to the step section of the skirt.
 11. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 4, wherein the skirt of the base seat is stepped and has a step section, whereby the outer circumference of the diaphragm can snugly attach to the step section of the skirt.
 12. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pinch button formed with slipproof stripes is disposed on upper end of the central chucking boss of the diaphragm.
 13. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 2, wherein a pinch button formed with slipproof stripes is disposed on upper end of the central chucking boss of the diaphragm.
 14. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gum ring is fitted around the base seat under the flange thereof.
 15. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 8, wherein the gum ring is fitted around the base seat under the flange thereof.
 16. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 1, wherein a middle portion of the gum ring is formed with a bight section.
 17. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 8, wherein a middle portion of the gum ring is formed with a bight section.
 18. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 11, wherein a middle portion of the gum ring is formed with a bight section.
 19. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 12, wherein a middle portion of the gum ring is formed with a bight section.
 20. The sealing ring structure of the sinkhole as claimed in claim 14, wherein a middle portion of the gum ring is formed with a bight section. 